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Updated: Jul 1, 2026
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Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Radiological, Histopathological, and Surgical Outcomes of Intradural Spinal Ependymomas: A Single-Center
Mehmet Tiryaki1, Halit Alioglu1, Omar Alomari2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Lutfi Kirdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye.
World Neurosurgery
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Spinal intradural ependymomas vary significantly by location. Tumors in the spinal cord have poorer outcomes, while filum terminale tumors fare best, with conus medullaris tumors showing intermediate results.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neuropathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Spinal ependymomas are common adult intramedullary tumors with diverse characteristics.
- Current classification may not fully capture clinically relevant differences.
- This study proposes an anatomical framework for better classification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate radiological, histopathological, and surgical outcomes of spinal intradural ependymomas.
- To analyze outcomes based on anatomical subgroups: true spinal cord, conus medullaris, and filum terminale.
- To understand the impact of tumor location on clinical presentation and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 42 patients treated between 2015-2025.
- Data collected: demographics, radiology, histopathology, surgery, and functional outcomes (Modified McCormick Scale).
- Comparative analysis across three anatomical subgroups.
Main Results:
- Median age 40, 55% female; 88% presented with pain.
- 93% gross total resection; 90% were WHO grade 2.
- Spinal cord tumors had worse preoperative status and recovery; filum terminale tumors had favorable outcomes; conus medullaris tumors were intermediate.
- Leptomeningeal seeding occurred in 7%.
Conclusions:
- Spinal intradural ependymomas show significant anatomical and functional heterogeneity.
- Tumor location is a key determinant of clinical presentation, surgical complexity, and outcomes.
- Conus medullaris ependymomas represent a distinct subgroup with intermediate characteristics.
